Ballistics Report Doesn’t Support Kentucky AG Daniel Cameron’s Claim That Breonna Taylor’s Boyfriend Shot Cop

A recent release of a ballistics report reveals contradicting statements from that of Daniel Cameron’s statements regarding the ruling of Breonna Taylor. 

A report released by the Kentucky State Police (KSP) seemingly contradicts Daniel Cameron’s statements regarding the murder of Breonna Taylor.

Daniel Cameron, the Attorney General of Kentucky,  announced a press release stating the details of the tragic night, and the verdict of the trial.

To provide context for Breonna Taylor’s killing, a previous article states that “Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old nurse technician from Louisville, Kentucky was killed on March 13, 2020, by officers of the Lousiville Metro Police Department Jonathan Mattingly, Brett Hankison, and Myles Cosgrove. The officers entered the house with at night, with a no-knock search warrant, and fired 20 shots, eight of them hitting Taylor. The officers suspected Taylor of possession of drugs but no drugs were found in the house.” To learn more about the story of Taylor, please refer to this article.

The official ruling of the case only charged one of the police officers, Brett Hankinson. An NPR article states Hankinson “has been charged with three counts of wanton endangerment over shooting into neighboring apartments. Bond was set at $15,000.” However, the other two officers– John Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove– were not charged. This result has sparked outrage across the nation, many claiming that this was an unjust ruling.

In the statement given by Cameron, he stated that Mattingly and Cosgrove were not charged for their shootings in claims of self-defense. Kenneth Walker, Breonna Taylor’s boyfriend, was shooting at the cops and one of the bullets hit Mattingly’s thigh. However, the report issued by the KSP reports that those claims are “inconclusive”.

An article by Essence states, “‘Due to limited markings of comparative value,’ the KSP report concludes, in part, the 9 mm bullet that struck Mattingly could not be ‘identified nor eliminated as having been fired’ from Walker’s gun.”

The Essence article continues to refute claims made by Cameron, “‘friendly fire’ from former Louisville Metro Police officer Brett Hankison was ruled out because they determined Mattingly was hit by a 9 mm bullet, and Hankison, as well as the other officers, were carrying .40 caliber handguns. However, during a CNN appearance last week, Walker’s attorney shared that Hankison had been issued a 9 mm weapon by the department.”

Walker’s attorneys and Taylor’s family have requested that the grand jury transcript (which includes the ballistic report) be made available to the public. Cosgrove and Mattingly remain on administrative reassignment.

To learn more about Breonna Taylor and how to demand justice for her and her family please visit justiceforbreonna.org.